Welcome to part one of a multi-part series on improving our international shipping. I have contacted several of my business colleagues and friends from around the globe to help us understand how we can better serve our international customers. Today we will hear from my dear friend, colleague, and fellow entrepreneur, Yvonne Russell, who lives in Australia.
An Open Letter to eBay Sellers About Overseas Shipping Costs - An Australian Perspective
by Guest Author - Yvonne Russell
Dear eBay Seller,
As an Australian I expect to pay for overseas shipping, but it hurts. It hurts alot. Shipping costs make or break the deal for me. When I buy a book on Amazon, sometimes the shipping is more than the book. So then I go to the Amazon second hand dealers. I haven't tried eBay for books. I guess I should. Then there's the toss up between paying less for shipping and waiting longer.
Business is about relationships, products, and margins. I have heard a lot of eBay sellers say that they don't actually make much on some items, but they build their profit into the shipping. Savvy buyers have a keen eye on this and compare. Overloading shipping is not the way to go. Can you cut your margins any other way so that you still have an outcome that's good for you and the customer?
Profit is about good business e.g. product, point of difference, marketing, and cutting costs to the seller, so you can pass these on to the customer.
In a ideal customer utopia, an eBay seller would offer free shipping, get the item to me at the speed of light, and have great customer service with clear communication. Flat rate shipping is another thing on my wish list. It's a pain to have to calculate costs and regions.
I understand and respect that you are running a business. Are there processes you can use that get closer to my ideal and still leave you room for a fair profit? If so, I look forward to doing business with you.
Yours sincerely,
Yvonne Russell
Yvonne Russell is a freelance writer and professional blogger at Grow Your Writing Business, Small Biz Mentor, and Home Biz Notes.
Hi Suzanne
I look forward to the rest of the series. Thanks for the opportunity to give an Australian perspective - at least from my personal point of view.
Posted by: Yvonne Russell (Small Biz Mentor) | April 3, 2008 5:43 PM | Permalink to Comment